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Accident – death – Obituary News :

A 35-year-old man was taken into custody this week after reportedly breaking into a home in California and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl while her parents were asleep in another room. The incident, which lasted for hours, involved the suspect threatening to harm the child if she made any noise. Local police have confirmed the arrest of Marcos Maldonado, who now faces one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The Culver City Police Department (CCPD) revealed that Maldonado was identified as the suspect through DNA evidence and apprehended on the Interstate 5 Freeway while boarding a bus bound for Bakersfield, California.

According to CCPD spokesperson Jennifer Atenza, Maldonado had been staying in a downtown Los Angeles hotel prior to his arrest, and investigators have yet to determine his primary residence. The arrest comes over a month after CCPD officers received a report of a sexual assault and break-in at a residence in the Blair Hills community of Culver City, California, which is located approximately 10 miles west of Los Angeles. On December 2, 2023, at around 7:45 a.m., CCPD officers responded to the home and spoke with the victim and her parents. The parents informed the officers that a man, later identified as Maldonado, had entered their home and sexually assaulted their daughter before leaving on foot hours later.

Following the incident, Culver City police officers conducted a thorough search of the area, gathering witness statements and video evidence that showed the suspect leaving the vicinity. Despite the presence of video evidence, Maldonado managed to elude authorities until his arrest on Thursday.

“Since the day this crime occurred, our dedicated detectives have worked tirelessly to identify and locate the suspect,” stated CCPD in a press release on Friday, announcing Maldonado’s arrest.

Investigators determined that Maldonado gained access to the home through an unlocked balcony door between 2 and 3 a.m. He proceeded to assault the victim in her bedroom before leaving through the front door around 7 a.m.

The parents of the 12-year-old girl, identified as Alexis and Barry, recounted the harrowing morning when their daughter woke them up and immediately insisted on calling 911. Alexis emphasized the importance of open communication with children and knowing one’s neighbors and neighborhood, expressing surprise that such a crime could occur in what had been considered a safe area.

Barry further revealed his belief that the suspect had been observing their family prior to the incident, sneaking into the house through the grandparents’ bedroom, which had an unlocked door. Unfortunately, CCPD spokesperson Atenza could not provide additional details due to the sensitive nature of the crime. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have found no evidence suggesting a prior connection between the victim and the suspect.

Atenza urged the public to come forward with any information related to similar crimes involving the suspect. She expressed gratitude for the support of the Culver City community and emphasized the department’s commitment to pursuing justice for the victim through the successful prosecution of Maldonado.

Maldonado is currently held in CCPD jail on a $1.25 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on Monday.

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